Madagascar: A large island nation (bigger than California or France) off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is one of the world’s hottest biodiversity hotspots, and the only place where lemurs are found naturally. From LCF’s office in the SAVA region of northeastern Madagascar, staff work with conservation partners and communities bordering protected lemur habitats. Our work focuses on Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve (ASSR) and Marojejy National Park, together spanning 320 square miles of mountainous rainforests. Dr. Erik Patel, LCF’s Conservation & Research Director, manages our field conservation programs, traveling to Madagascar twice each year.
Lemur Conservation Foundation
Florida: The Lemur Conservation Foundation was founded in 1996 by Penelope Bodry-Sanders. In 1997, she set up camp on 30 acres in Myakka City, Florida to begin engaging supporters and fulfilling our mission to save and protect endangered lemurs. The reserve has since expanded to 130 acres and encompasses diverse vegetation zones that range from freshwater marsh to scrub to oak-pine mixed forest. Today, we are proud that LCF is recognized as an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Certified Related Facility and regarded as a preeminent site for educators and scientific researchers internationally.
Mission
Madagascar’s Challenges
Although stunningly rich in biodiversity, Madagascar is also exceptionally poor in almost every quality-of-life measure tracked by the United Nations and World Bank. Population is exploding, and most Malagasy live on less than $1 per day.
Poverty and political instability have undermined Madagascar’s environmental management. Slash and burn agriculture, selective logging of precious wood (rosewood and ebony), and fuel wood harvesting has accelerated deforestation and erosion, which in turn has altered microclimates, leading to droughts, forest fires, and soil degradation. Bushmeat hunting of lemurs has also increased in recent years due to a lack of alternative protein sources in rural villages as well as the emergence of a commercial bushmeat trade.
LCF conservation programs on the ground in Madagascar are helping to protect lemurs and their habitat.
Solution
Nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ASSR spans 108 square miles and is home to at least 11 species of lemurs, including critically endangered indri and silky sifakas, which are one of the rarest mammals in the world. LCF established Camp Indri in ASSR as an ecotourism destination.
LCF is leading lemur conservation efforts in the SAVA region in the following ways.
Overnight student fieldtrips to the rainforest
Educating Madagascar’s next generation of conservationists
Fish farming training
Reducing dependence on lemur bushmeat hunting
Reforestation
Restoring lemur habitat
Fuel-efficient cook stoves
Decreasing dependence on the rainforest
Public health initiatives
Providing voluntary family planning
Ecotourism infrastructure
Camp Indri, ASSR’s only established campsite
Forest monitoring
Removing lemur bushmeat traps
Lemur population surveys
Improving estimates of silky sifaka population size
Impact
Educate why lemur should not be use as pet
The Lemur Conservation Foundation is often asked whether or not lemurs make good pets. Based on information from our conservation partners and the scientific community, LCF does not support lemurs as pets. We are pleased to share the reasons why primates do not make appropriate pets.
Lemurs cannot be tamed
Primates that are raised by humans are often more dangerous and aggressive towards people than mother-reared animals. Without the proper space and knowledge to care for aggressive pet primates, these animals are vulnerable to neglect or repeated rehoming to facilities or individuals with unknown standards of care.
